I have had Coco (and another female, Vanilla) for about a month now. When I first saw them at the pet store, they looked healthy, active, curious and fur soft and silky.

Now, Coco's fur around the neck, underneath her and around her rear look wet, as if she got a few water sprays. You can see her here:

http://www.type-v.net/IMG_0005.jpg

I change the bedding three times a week, give them a fresh bowl of prepackaged food everyday and their water bottle is always full. Is this normal? Her eyes are still alert and Vanilla is starting to show a bit of "wet fur" around her neck too (but not as much as Coco). What's going on??

virce

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2
10th February 15:16

katgrrrrl99

External User

Posts: 1

Hamster's fur looks wet

Are they scratching alot??? What type of bedding????
I would take her to the vet....In the very least they could tell you if nothing
was wrong.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vincent 6/27/01
Dorothy 6/4/03

" Life isn't like a box of chocolates...it's more like a jar of jalapenos. What
you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow."

katgrrrrl99

3
10th February 15:16

virce

External User

Posts: 1

Hamster's fur looks wet

Not really, they're not scratching a lot. They look normal, just not the fur. However I find Coco has been sleeping more than usual. Could it be they needed some sand bath to roll in?

virce

4
10th February 15:16

jody pellerin

External User

Posts: 1

Hamster's fur looks wet

The only thing I can think of is maybe the water bottle is leaking. I doubt
it would cause that much dampness though. If you're really concerned, the
vet probably is the best choice, just to be safe.
Also, check they're using the washroom. Some hamsters don't 'potty train'
themselves and pee where ever they are. Maybe that's what is getting one of
both of them wet. Maybe just one is doing it or both are, and in a place
like the wheel, where it might be coming back on them. Just an idea.

Not really, they're not scratching a lot. They look normal, just not the
fur. However I find Coco has been sleeping more than usual. Could it be they
needed some sand bath to roll in?

jody pellerin

5
10th February 17:39

katgrrrrl99

External User

Posts: 1

Hamster's fur looks wet

what kind of bedding are you using??? You certainly clean enough but if it
isn't kiln dried aspen or carefresh your hammies could be allergic.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vincent 6/27/01
Dorothy 6/4/03

" Life isn't like a box of chocolates...it's more like a jar of jalapenos. What
you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow."

katgrrrrl99

6
10th February 17:39

phuongee

External User

Posts: 1

Hamster's fur looks wet

My hamster looked like that he got behind in his grooming and started
peeing in his wheel. He also smelled too. I gave him a little help
with a damp cloth and he resumed with his grooming. By the next day,
his fur was back to normal.

phuongee

7
11th February 04:15

mihosweeti

External User

Posts: 1

Hamster's fur looks wet

If she's otherwise healthy, and there's no medical reason for this, she may be
a satin, and it's just starting to show the characteristics. Her fur wouldn't
actually be wet, just kind of look it.

Also, try changing the bedding only once a week. They really shouldn't be
getting it so dirty every other day (unless they are urinating a lot, which can
be an indicator of diabetes). Give them a chance to get settled in their home.
Changing the bedding too often could possibly stress them out.

What type of cage are they in? The crittertrails and some little houses can
cause condensation which can make them appear wet.

You might try giving them a sand bath with Chinchilla sand a few times a week.
Just pour a bit of sand into a container about twice the size of your
hammy...(or pour it into a critter carrier and put them in, this works too) The
sand can help keep their fur looking good.

But, if they have satin in them, they will always look a little "wet". It's the
nature of the fur.